Letters to the editor for Sunday, Oct. 7

Saturday

Oct 6, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 6, 2012 at 1:09 PM

On Walter Jones, Darwinism, the undeserving, presidential politics and our obligation to veterans

Jones broadcasts the right message

Third District Congressman Walter Jones has been spot-on in calling for withdrawal from Afghanistan, the "Graveyard of Empires." His appearance on a Memphis, Tenn.-based syndicated show to urge withdrawal from Afghanistan and discuss his bill, HR 107, that cites Obama’s illegal attack on Libya elicited the typical reaction from the Big Government Party’s Democratic branch.

The so-called Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) have branded the show on which Rep. Jones appeared as "racist." Of course, anyone who might disagree with these two groups is automatically racist. Never mind that both the SPLC and ADL are both hate-mongering groups that are no better than some of the groups they condemn. The SPLC, headed by one Morris Dees, is also a consummate shake-down organization. This being an election year, the Democrat’s Onslow County sub-branch gleefully jumped into the fray and called for an "apology" from Rep. Jones.

Rep. Jones appeared on a program carried on a radio station duly licensed by the Federal Communications Commission. I have no problem with Rep. Jones (or, for that mater, the opposition) appearing on any program carried by a duly licensed station.

The importance of U.S. involvement in undeclared foreign wars and the role of the president (regardless of the Big Government branch) requires meaningful public discussion, something the mainstream media has deliberately suppressed in many cases.

It all boils down to what a retired Marine Corps general recently stated (and makes the SPLC and ADL comment irrelevant): "What do we say to the mother and father … the wife … of the last soldier or Marine killed to support a corrupt government and corrupt leader in a war that can’t be won?"

Walter L. Adams Jr.

Trenton

Darwinists tying hands of discovery

An article on Sept. 25 stated that Bill Nye "urges parents not to pass their religious-based doubts about evolution on to their children." That displays remarkable ignorance of genuine religious beliefs. As a Christian, I don’t "doubt" evolution; I know for a fact it is unscientific propaganda. Of course I teach that to my children, rather than the unchallenged pabulum put out by Darwinists. And it takes as much "faith" to believe in baseless evolution as it does to accept a Creator.

Space doesn’t allow a thorough response, but let’s start with: "Tennessee passed a law ... that protects teachers who let students criticize evolution. ..." The very idea that any theory can’t be examined and criticized is unscientific and a common tactic of the evolutionist tyrants. Which begs the question, "What are they afraid of?"

But the biggest fallacy of this article is the idea that scientists who believe in a Creator are "not going to continue to innovate." Sir Isaac Newton; Max Planck, father of quantum theory; Dr. Raymond Damadian, inventor of the MRI; and countless other pioneering scientists believe(d) in a Creator. Even Einstein, who was not a Christian, believed there had to be a Creator. "I want to know how God created this world ... I want to know His thoughts ... ." About atheists he said, "In view of such harmony in the cosmos which I, with my limited human mind, am able to recognize, there are yet people who say there is no God. But what really makes me angry is that they quote me for the support of such views."

Just one example of Darwinists blocking innovation: Evolutionists coined the term "junk DNA" in reference to the large portions of the human genome they thought were "useless." Leading evolutionists thought continued study of the genome was foolish, and a waste of resources. (Are they afraid of evidence of how well-designed we are?) We now know, of course, that the genome and DNA are incredibly more complex than ever imagined, and scientists are continuing to discover the important functions of "junk DNA," especially in the field of disease research. So, who again is blocking innovation? The dogmatic Darwinists who insist on blindly following their religion are the ones tying the hands of discovery — not those who fearlessly acknowledge their Creator.

Tina Taylor

Grifton

America morphs into land of needy

How many of the Pilgrims and Puritans came to America looking for entitlements, expecting to sit back and collect government checks? And all the immigrants from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America — didn’t most of these people struggle to come to the "Land of the Free" to escape the economic tyranny of class division and religious repression in their native countries? Weren’t they seeking the freedom to choose their own path to success, rather than being told what they could and couldn’t do? I doubt that any of them came here thinking the government would take care of them and they wouldn’t have to work to earn their living.

How did the United States of America become such a great and inspiring nation? Was it because people lay around collecting welfare checks, expecting others to take care of them? Was it because people turned up their noses at low-paying jobs because they felt entitled? Was it because people were irresponsible and dishonest in their business dealings? Was it because people didn’t stand behind their word — that their handshake was meaningless?

And what about the poor, the aged, the handicapped, the unfortunate? Up until the last 50 years or so, it wasn’t the government that took care of them. Rather, it was families, neighbors, churches and communities that pitched in to help the needy. Americans tend to be generous, sharing their wealth to help those in need, those in dire, catastrophic situations. We don’t need a government that forces us to give away our earnings — too often taking our hard-earned money and giving it to the undeserving and to those who "use the system." We are happy to help worthy causes, and we are certainly capable of deciding how to donate our money — to those truly in need.

This country became great because people had the right to work as hard as they wanted, to be creative, and to spend — or save — their earnings as they saw fit. Those who chose not to work hard knew the consequences that would result from their lack of effort. Do we want to change this? Do we want our government constantly telling us what we can and cannot do, or what we can and cannot buy? Do we want a government that continues to spend and borrow recklessly — piling on more and more debt? Do we want a government of entitlements that encourages sloth, irresponsibility and blaming others for our problems? Do we want a government that is constantly taxing those of us who work hard to give to those who refuse to work? Do we want to give up our right to choose our lifestyle based on our work ethic?

I’d like for the United States to regain its greatness, with citizens who work hard and don’t expect handouts from others, who live their live with integrity and honesty. Our votes in November will determine whether we (and future generations) continue to live free with the opportunity to build our lives based on our hard work, creativity and perseverance. The alternative is to become dependents of the government with no initiative, just sitting around waiting for a check.

Nowell Fare

Grifton

Hope all but gone, change a disaster

Obama won the 2008 presidential election on two words — hope and change. Hope is all but gone and change has been a disaster for America.

Check this out: For the past four years the economy has gone in the tank. More jobs have been lost than created. The national debt has risen to $16 trillion. Forty-seven percent of Americans are on some type of social assistance. And — oh, yeah — Obamacare, if not repealed and allowed to take full effect in 2014, could cost America a great number of the doctors now practicing medicine.

I’ve had two local doctors tell me point blank that they will be leaving the medical field if Obamacare is allowed to take effect. Voters should ask their doctor or doctors what their plans are if Obamacare is not repealed.

Today, there are far fewer college students entering the medical field than ever before. Your readers should think how a shortage of doctors would affect them. What if their doctor quit practicing? How long would it take to find another doctor? How would this affect the quality of their health care?

However, there may be a way to avoid this situation. Republican candidate Mitt Romney has promised to repeal Obamacare if elected and to save the best health care in the world. So let’s give Romney and Ryan a try and save the way of life that we know.

David Stone

Kinston

Kinston can live up to romantic ideals

I wonder how many of your readers know that long before couples used to meet on websites, there was something called, "Mail order catalog." My grandparents met that way. My grandmother, formerly Ruby Mae Tripp, was a school marm in a one-room schoolhouse between Kinston and Ayden. My granddaddy, a Texan, and soldier in the U.S. Calvary, fought with other of his Army comrades, and came back to the States with hopes of settling down. Letters between him and my grandma were not the instantaneous responses of today’s courters, but nevertheless, the spark blossomed.

When on visits as a child, I sat at my granddaddy’s side on their front porch in New Bern, and listened to his war stories, Texas tales, and experiences as a plumber at Cherry Point. There was another story I loved to hear and I’d have him repeat. It was of his anticipation to meet my grandmother, and their meeting at the train depot in Kinston. Now mind you, they didn’t have pics texted to them so had very little idea what the other looked like, but essentially committed themselves to be wed.

He was wearing cowboy boots and a 10-gallon hat and said when he stepped out of the exit of the train and looked around, there were several young ladies peering at him, but one beautiful young lady edged toward him, with the prettiest long petticoats, and the most gorgeous big blue eyes he’d ever seen peer out from the brim of her bonnet. He had seen many people in various parts of the world and traveled many days and nights to meet this pen pal he fell infatuated with through her words and responses. And now he was so thrilled that she exceeded his expectations.

Granddaddy’s romantic stories of Kinston remained in my heart as I traveled and lived in various states and visited other countries. My dad was in the military, and duty stations and deployments had me in 11 different schools prior to high school. I often wondered about Kinston and what such a romantic place with such community spirit would be like and how it would compare with the other places I lived. It wasn’t until I had three kids that I decided to move to Kinston.

My kids, Charity, Jeremiah and Merry Faith, grew up with Kinston coaches, preachers and teachers shaping their lives. I’m appreciative of the positive role-models that have impacted our lives, the people that make the difference. After 16 years here my family is invested.

Whether romantic ideals, or full of community spirit or not, many of us have so many things to do we find it difficult to get them all accomplished, so to add another thing on our plate has to be something urgent or especially beneficial. So I take into account the many obligations and special interest endeavors Lenoir County residents are already absorbed with when I implore your readers to please attend tomorrow evening’s (Monday, Oct. 8) Veterans Challenge Community Meeting at The Gate auditorium (corner of McLewean and Gordon streets), from 7-9 p.m. I assure you that you will be appreciated and you are needed to make a difference.